village, consisting of four or five houses. Vladimir drove towards it. At the first cottage he jumped out of the sledge, ran to the window and began to knock. After a few minutes, the wooden shutter was raised, and an old man thrust out his grey beard.
"What do you want?"
"Is Jadrino far from here?"
"Is Jadrino far from here?"
"Yes, yes! Is it far?"
"Not far; about ten versts."
At this reply, Vladimir grasped his hair and stood motionless, like a man condemned to death.
"Where do you come from?" continued the old man.
Vladimir had not the courage to answer the question.
"Listen, old man," said he: "can you procure me horses to take me to Jadrino?"
"How should we have such things as horses?" replied the peasant.
"Can I obtain a guide? I will pay him whatever he pleases."
"Wait," said the old man, closing the shutter; "I will send my son out to you; he will guide you."
Vladimir waited. But a minute had scarcely elapsed when he began knocking again. The shutter was raised, and the beard again appeared.
"What do you want?"
"What about your son?"
"He'll be out presently; he is putting on his boots. Are you cold? Come in and warm yourself."
"Thank you; send your son out quickly."
The door creaked: a lad came out with a cudgel and went on in front, at one time pointing out the road, at another searching for it among the drifted snow.
"What is the time?" Vladimir asked him.
